CHAPTER 9
For
I know
your
eagerness to help,
and
I have been boasting
to the Macedonians
that
since
last year
you
in Achaia
were prepared to give .
And
your
zeal
has stirred
most of them to do likewise .
But
I am sending
the
brothers
in order that
our
boasting
about
you
in
this
matter
should not prove empty,
but that
you will be
prepared,
just as
I said.
Otherwise,
if any
Macedonians
come
with
me
and
find
you
unprepared,
we—
to
say
nothing
of you—
would be ashamed of
having been
so
confident.
So
I thought it
necessary
to urge
the
brothers
to
visit you beforehand
and
make arrangements
for the
bountiful gift
you had promised.
This way,
your
gift
will be
prepared
generously
and
not
begrudgingly.
Consider
this:
Whoever
sows
sparingly
will also
reap
sparingly,
and
whoever
sows
generously
will also
reap
generously.
Each one
should give what
he has decided
in his
heart to give ,
not
out of
regret
or
compulsion.
For
God
loves
a cheerful
giver.
And
God
is able
to make all
grace
abound
to
you,
so that
in
all things,
at all times,
having
all that
you need,
you will abound
in
every
good
work.
As
it is written:
“He has scattered abroad
His gifts
to the
poor;
His
righteousness
endures
forever.”
Now
He who
supplies
seed
to the
sower
and
bread
for
food
will supply
and
multiply
your
store of seed
and
will increase
the
harvest
of
your
righteousness.
You will be enriched
in
every way
to
be generous
on every occasion,
and your giving
through
us
will produce
thanksgiving
to God.
For
this
ministry
of service
is
not
only
supplying
the
needs
of the
saints,
but
is also overflowing
in
many
expressions of thanksgiving
to God.
Because of
the
proof
this
ministry provides,
the saints will glorify
God
for
your
obedient
confession
of
the
gospel
of Christ,
and
for the generosity
of your
contribution
to
them
and
to
all the others.
And
their
prayers
for
you
will express their affection
for you,
because of
the
surpassing
grace
God
has given
you.